Alex Manninger
Encyclopedia
Alexander "Alex" Manninger (born 4 June 1977) is an Austria
n professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Juventus F.C.
in the Italian
Serie A
. He has played for a variety of high-profile clubs, almost always as a substitute.
, and played his first top-level game away against Grazer AK
. After a strong performance in goal, along with 5 other seasonal appearances, Grazer opted to sign the young player as backup goalkeeper in summer 1996. Manninger's first match was a baptism of fire, after first-choice goalkeeper Franz Almer fell ill before the autumn 1996 UEFA Cup second round game against Internazionale Milano
, Manninger found himself making his debut in the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. He put in a strong performance and pulled off several high-quality saves as GAK narrowly lost 1–0. In the return leg, GAK won 1–0 to level the aggregate score at 1–1, but lost in the resulting penalty shoot-out. He managed to make 24 appearances in his lone season with the club, before a high profile transfer to Arsenal
in the FA Premier League
.
in June 1997 as cover for David Seaman
. During the 1997–98 season Seaman suffered a long spell out injured and Manninger ably covered for him, enjoying a spell of six clean sheets in a row in the league, a club record. The last of these was against Manchester United at Old Trafford, where Arsenal won 1–0. In March 1998 he was named Premier League Player of the Month, a first for an understudy goalkeeper in the Premier League. However, Manninger had to make way for Seaman once the Englishman returned from injury. Manninger also unusually was awarded a winners medal for the 1997/8 season despite not reaching the minimum number of games needed for this to be the case, as the Premier League ruled that his contribution was so significant that it deserved a medal.
Manninger continued to deputise for Seaman for the next three seasons, but without a consistent run in the side he was unable to maximise his potential. In all he made only 64 appearances over four seasons for Arsenal
. After the Gunners bought Richard Wright
in 2001, Manninger became number three at Arsenal, and spent the 2001–2002 season on loan at Italian side ACF Fiorentina
, making 24 appearances for the Tuscan
club.
signed Manninger on a four-year deal for £960,000. However, to much surprise, the Spanish
club released Manninger just seven weeks later, even prior to making a first team appearance. Doubts were raised as to whether his transfer from Arsenal
had been fully completed, although Manninger claimed Espanyol did not have the money to pay his fee.
in January 2003, after spending the first portion of the season without game time. He stayed in Torino for just six months before joining Bologna FC
in the summer of 2003. He spent two years with the club but was unable to break into the first team. He had a short loan spell with Brescia Calcio
in July 2004, but was immediately sent back and sent to A.C. Siena
in August of the same year, also on loan. During the 2004–2005 Serie A
season, Manninger obtained 19 appearances for the Robur.
. Following his return to Austria, Manninger still failed to appear on a regular basis, and appeared just 16 times for the club, before transferring away from the club, again in the summer of 2006.
as the first-choice goalkeeper. Once Manninger returned from injury, he was used as a back-up before re-earning his spot as the first choice, ahead of Eleftheropolous, and Anssi Jaakkola
. He would remain the starter at Siena again in the 2007–2008 season, and in his two full seasons with the club, Manninger made nearly 70 appearances. At the conclusion of the season, Manninger's contract was not re-newed and hence he became a free agent.
from Italy
to sign again for his former club, FC Red Bull Salzburg on free transfer, but did not stay for long. In July 2008, Manninger moved back to Italy
with Udinese Calcio
, where he was signed to not only replace the departing Antonio Chimenti
as a reserve keeper to but also to fight it out with Samir Handanovic
for the starting spot. However, he stayed with the club for only a two weeks before signing for Juventus FC.
as a backup for Gianluigi Buffon
from Udinese Calcio. Incidentally, in Antonio Chimenti
another goalkeeper was transferred from Udine in the same transfer window
to become the club's third choice. Due to a long-term injury to Juventus
and Italy
number one goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon
, Manninger played from early October 2008 through late February 2009. Since his transfer to the Turin
club, the former Austrian international has made over 35 appearances in all competitions, in part due to the injuries sustained by Buffon, however, due to Storari signing he is no longer second choice.
in an August 1999 friendly match against Sweden
and was member of the Austrian Euro 2008 squad. He has so far as of August 2008 earned 33 caps and retired after ten years from International football for the Austria national football team
on 5 August 2009.
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!Total||33||0
|}
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Juventus F.C.
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
in the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
. He has played for a variety of high-profile clubs, almost always as a substitute.
SV Salzburg – Grazer AK
Manninger started his career as a youth member for SV Austria Salzburg in 1993. He was promoted to the first team squad at the start of the 1995–1996 season. After his debut, and lone appearance of the season, he was sent on loan at SK Vorwärts SteyrSK Vorwärts Steyr
SK Vorwärts Steyr is an Austrian association football club based in Steyr. It was founded in 1919. They play at the Vorwärts Stadium.- Current squad :*On loan from Westside Strikers FC...
, and played his first top-level game away against Grazer AK
Grazer AK
Grazer AK, founded 18 August 1902 as Grazer Athletik-Sport Klub , is an Austrian sports club, from the city of Graz in the federal state of Styria . The football section is one of the most traditional Austrian clubs, most successful in the decade 1995 – 2005...
. After a strong performance in goal, along with 5 other seasonal appearances, Grazer opted to sign the young player as backup goalkeeper in summer 1996. Manninger's first match was a baptism of fire, after first-choice goalkeeper Franz Almer fell ill before the autumn 1996 UEFA Cup second round game against Internazionale Milano
F.C. Internazionale Milano
Football Club Internazionale Milano, often referred to as Internazionale or simply Inter, is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Italy. Outside Italy, the club is often called Inter Milan. They are the reigning FIFA Club World champions and Coppa Italia holders.Inter have always...
, Manninger found himself making his debut in the Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. He put in a strong performance and pulled off several high-quality saves as GAK narrowly lost 1–0. In the return leg, GAK won 1–0 to level the aggregate score at 1–1, but lost in the resulting penalty shoot-out. He managed to make 24 appearances in his lone season with the club, before a high profile transfer to Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in the FA Premier League
FA Premier League
The Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
.
Arsenal
After remaining the first-choice goalkeeper for the rest of the 1996–1997 season he was signed by Arsenal F.C.Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
in June 1997 as cover for David Seaman
David Seaman
David Andrew Seaman MBE is a former English football goalkeeper who played for several clubs, most notably Arsenal. He retired from the game on 13 January 2004, following a recurring shoulder injury...
. During the 1997–98 season Seaman suffered a long spell out injured and Manninger ably covered for him, enjoying a spell of six clean sheets in a row in the league, a club record. The last of these was against Manchester United at Old Trafford, where Arsenal won 1–0. In March 1998 he was named Premier League Player of the Month, a first for an understudy goalkeeper in the Premier League. However, Manninger had to make way for Seaman once the Englishman returned from injury. Manninger also unusually was awarded a winners medal for the 1997/8 season despite not reaching the minimum number of games needed for this to be the case, as the Premier League ruled that his contribution was so significant that it deserved a medal.
Manninger continued to deputise for Seaman for the next three seasons, but without a consistent run in the side he was unable to maximise his potential. In all he made only 64 appearances over four seasons for Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. After the Gunners bought Richard Wright
Richard Wright (footballer)
Richard Ian Wright is an English professional goalkeeper, currently playing for Ipswich Town, now his third spell with the club having played earlier in the season for the reserves...
in 2001, Manninger became number three at Arsenal, and spent the 2001–2002 season on loan at Italian side ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina
ACF Fiorentina, commonly referred to as simply Fiorentina, is a professional Italian football club from Florence, Tuscany. Founded by a merger in 1926, Fiorentina have played at the top level of Italian football for the majority of their existence; only four clubs have played in more Serie A...
, making 24 appearances for the Tuscan
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
club.
Espanyol
Manninger returned to Arsenal from his loan spell in June 2002, but he was instantly put onto the transfer market by the London based club. In July 2002 RCD EspanyolRCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
signed Manninger on a four-year deal for £960,000. However, to much surprise, the Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
club released Manninger just seven weeks later, even prior to making a first team appearance. Doubts were raised as to whether his transfer from Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
had been fully completed, although Manninger claimed Espanyol did not have the money to pay his fee.
Torino – Bologna – Siena
Manninger joined Torino F.C.Torino F.C.
Torino Football Club, commonly referred to as simply Torino, is a professional Italian football club based in Turin, Piedmont, that was founded in 1906. The club has spent most of its history in the top tier in Italian football....
in January 2003, after spending the first portion of the season without game time. He stayed in Torino for just six months before joining Bologna FC
Bologna F.C. 1909
Bologna Football Club 1909, known simply as Bologna, is an Italian Football League club based in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, formed in 1993. The club are nicknamed the rossoblù because of the red and blue striped shirts they wear. Red and Blue are the official colours of the town.During its history...
in the summer of 2003. He spent two years with the club but was unable to break into the first team. He had a short loan spell with Brescia Calcio
Brescia Calcio
Brescia Calcio , known simply as Brescia, is the largest football club in the Lombard city of Brescia, where it was founded in 1911.In the 2009–10 season, in the return leg of the Serie B playoff final, they defeated Torino 2-1 at home , returning to Serie A after a 5-year absence...
in July 2004, but was immediately sent back and sent to A.C. Siena
A.C. Siena
Associazione Calcio Siena is an Italian football club based in Siena.The club currently plays in Serie A, having gained promotion from Serie B at the end of the 2010-2011 season....
in August of the same year, also on loan. During the 2004–2005 Serie A
Serie A
Serie A , now called Serie A TIM due to sponsorship by Telecom Italia, is a professional league competition for football clubs located at the top of the Italian football league system and has been operating for over eighty years since 1929. It had been organized by Lega Calcio until 2010, but a new...
season, Manninger obtained 19 appearances for the Robur.
Return to Salzburg
In July 2005, FC Red Bull Salzburg had re-signed Manninger from BolognaBologna
Bologna is the capital city of Emilia-Romagna, in the Po Valley of Northern Italy. The city lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains, more specifically, between the Reno River and the Savena River. Bologna is a lively and cosmopolitan Italian college city, with spectacular history,...
. Following his return to Austria, Manninger still failed to appear on a regular basis, and appeared just 16 times for the club, before transferring away from the club, again in the summer of 2006.
AC Siena
In the summer of 2006, Manninger returned to AC Siena, in the Italian Serie A, however this time it was on a permanent basis. He started the season as the club's first choice keeper before, an injury led to the appointment of Greek international, Dimitrios EleftheropoulosDimitrios Eleftheropoulos
Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos is a Greek goalkeeper who is currently playing for Panionios in Greek Super League. In the past he played for the Greek national team.-Greece:...
as the first-choice goalkeeper. Once Manninger returned from injury, he was used as a back-up before re-earning his spot as the first choice, ahead of Eleftheropolous, and Anssi Jaakkola
Anssi Jaakkola
Anssi Jaakkola is a Finnish footballer who currently plays as a goalkeeper for Scottish Premier League club Kilmarnock.-Career:...
. He would remain the starter at Siena again in the 2007–2008 season, and in his two full seasons with the club, Manninger made nearly 70 appearances. At the conclusion of the season, Manninger's contract was not re-newed and hence he became a free agent.
2008 Transfer Market
At the end of the 2007–2008 season he returned to AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
from Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
to sign again for his former club, FC Red Bull Salzburg on free transfer, but did not stay for long. In July 2008, Manninger moved back to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
with Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio
Udinese Calcio is an Italian football club based in Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and currently plays in the Serie A. Founded in 1896, Udinese is the second oldest club in the Serie A, after Genoa....
, where he was signed to not only replace the departing Antonio Chimenti
Antonio Chimenti
Antonio Chimenti is a retired Italian football goalkeeper.-S.S. Sambenedettese Calcio:Chimenti began his career in the youth academy of S.S. Sambenedettese Calcio. In 1988, he was promoted to the first team. After two more seasons spent in Sambenedettese in Serie C1 and then Serie C2, he was...
as a reserve keeper to but also to fight it out with Samir Handanovic
Samir Handanovic
Samir Handanovič, is a Slovenian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Italian club Udinese and the Slovenian national team. He is well known for his ability to save pentalies...
for the starting spot. However, he stayed with the club for only a two weeks before signing for Juventus FC.
Juventus
In 2008, Manninger was signed by JuventusJuventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
as a backup for Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team. He has won the FIFA World Cup and is widely considered by fans and experts to be one of most dominant and successful goalkeepers in history...
from Udinese Calcio. Incidentally, in Antonio Chimenti
Antonio Chimenti
Antonio Chimenti is a retired Italian football goalkeeper.-S.S. Sambenedettese Calcio:Chimenti began his career in the youth academy of S.S. Sambenedettese Calcio. In 1988, he was promoted to the first team. After two more seasons spent in Sambenedettese in Serie C1 and then Serie C2, he was...
another goalkeeper was transferred from Udine in the same transfer window
Transfer window
The transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club can transfer players from other countries into their playing staff. Such a transfer is completed by registering the player into the new club through FIFA...
to become the club's third choice. Due to a long-term injury to Juventus
Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
and Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
number one goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi Buffon
Gianluigi "Gigi" Buffon, Ufficiale OMRI , is an Italian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Serie A club Juventus and the Italian national team. He has won the FIFA World Cup and is widely considered by fans and experts to be one of most dominant and successful goalkeepers in history...
, Manninger played from early October 2008 through late February 2009. Since his transfer to the Turin
Turin
Turin is a city and major business and cultural centre in northern Italy, capital of the Piedmont region, located mainly on the left bank of the Po River and surrounded by the Alpine arch. The population of the city proper is 909,193 while the population of the urban area is estimated by Eurostat...
club, the former Austrian international has made over 35 appearances in all competitions, in part due to the injuries sustained by Buffon, however, due to Storari signing he is no longer second choice.
International career
Manninger made his debut for AustriaAustria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
in an August 1999 friendly match against Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
and was member of the Austrian Euro 2008 squad. He has so far as of August 2008 earned 33 caps and retired after ten years from International football for the Austria national football team
Austria national football team
The Austria national football team is the association football team that represents the country of Austria in international competition and is controlled by the Austrian Football Association ....
on 5 August 2009.
National team statistics
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|2007||6||0
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|2008||7||0
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|2009||1||0
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Honours
Arsenal:- FA Premier LeagueFA Premier LeagueThe Premier League is an English professional league for association football clubs. At the top of the English football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. Contested by 20 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with The Football League. The Premier...
: 1997–98 - FA CupFA CupThe Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
: 1998 - FA Community ShieldFA Community ShieldThe Football Association Community Shield is English football's annual match contested between the champions of the previous Premier League season and the holders of the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. If the Premier League champions also won the FA Cup then the league runners-up provide the opposition...
: 1998, 1999
External links
- Player profile – Juventus
- Player profile – EURO2008
- Career stats – National Football Teams
- ESPN Profile